11.28.2009
Question of hijab. Supression or Liberation: An article feat video
"Why do Muslim women have to cover their heads?" This question is one which is asked by Muslim and non-Muslim alike. For many women it is the truest test of being a Muslim.
The answer to the question is very simple - Muslim women observe HIJAB (covering the head and the body) because Allah has told them to do so.
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among men). That is better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims) and not annoyed..." [Noble Quran 33:59]
Other secondary reasons include the requirement for modesty in both men and women. Both will then be evaluated for intelligence and skills instead of looks and sexuality. An Iranian school girl is quoted as saying, "We want to stop men from treating us like sex objects, as they have always done. We want them to ignore our appearance and to be attentive to our personalities and mind. We want them to take us seriously and treat us as equals and not just chase us around for our bodies and physical looks." A Muslim woman who covers her head is making a statement about her identity. Anyone who sees her will know that she is a Muslim and has a good moral character. Many Muslim women who cover are filled with dignity and self esteem; they are pleased to be identified as a Muslim woman. As a chaste, modest, pure woman, she does not want her sexuality to enter into interactions with men in the smallest degree. A woman who covers herself is concealing her sexuality but allowing her femininity to be brought out.
The question of Hijab for Muslim women has been a controversy for centuries and will probably continue for many more. Some learned people do not consider the subject open to discussion and consider that covering the face is required, while a majority are of the opinion that it is not required. A middle line position is taken by some who claim that the instructions are vague and open to individual discretion depending on the situation. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) were required to cover their faces so that men would not think of them in sexual terms since they were the "Mothers of the Believers," but this requirement was not extended to other women.
The word "Hijab" comes from the Arabic word "hajaba" meaning to hide from view or conceal. In the present time, the context of Hijab is the modest covering of a Muslim woman. The question now is what is the extent of the covering? The Quran says:
"Say to the believing man that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..." [Noble Quran 24:30-31]
These verses from the Quran contain two main injunctions:
A woman should not show her beauty or adornments except what appears by uncontrolled factors such as the wind blowing her clothes, and
the head covers should be drawn so as to cover the hair, the neck and the bosom.
Islam has no fixed standard as to the style of dress or type of clothing that Muslims must wear. However, some requirements must be met. The first of these requirements is the parts of the body which must be covered. Islam has two sources for guidance and rulings: first, the Quran, the revealed word of Allah and secondly, the Hadith or the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who was chosen by Allah to be the role model for mankind. The following is a Tradition of the Prophet:
"Ayshah reported that Asma' the daughter of Abu Bakr came to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) while wearing thin clothing. He approached her and said: 'O Asma'! When a girl reaches the menstrual age, it is not properthat anything should remain exposed except this and this. He pointed to theface and hands." [Abu Dawud]
The second requirement is looseness. The clothing must be loose enough so as not to describe the shape of the woman's body. One desirable way to hide the shape of the body is to wear a cloak over other clothes. However, if the clothing is loose enough, an outer garment is not necessary. Thickness is the third requirement. The clothing must be thick enough so as not to show the color of the skin it covers or the shape of the body. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that in later generations of his Ummah there would be
"women who would be dressed but naked and on top of their heads (what looks like) camel humps. Curse them for they are truly cursed." [Muslim]
Another requirement is an over-all dignified appearance. The clothing should not attract men's attention to the woman. It should not be shiny and flashy so that everyone notices the dress and the woman. In addition there are other requirements:
Women must not dress so as to appear as men.
"Ibn Abbas narrated: 'The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the men who appear like women and the women who appear like men.'" [Bukhari]
Women should not dress in a way similar to the unbelievers.
The clothing should be modest, not excessively fancy and also not excessively ragged to gain others admiration or sympathy.
Often forgotten is the fact that modern Western dress is a new invention. Looking at the clothing of women as recently as seventy years ago, we see clothing similar to Hijab. These active and hard-working women of the West were not inhibited by their clothing which consisted of long, full dresses and various types of head covering. Muslim women who wear Hijab do not find it impractical or interfering with their activities in all levels and walks of life. Hijab is not merely a covering dress but more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in public. Dress is only one facet of the total being. The basic requirement of the Muslim woman's dress apply to the Muslim man's clothing with the difference being mainly in degree. Modesty requires that the area between the navel and the knee be covered in front of all people except the wife. The clothing of men should not be like the dress of women, nor should it be tight or provocative. A Muslim should dress to show his identity as a Muslim. Men are not allowed to wear gold or silk. However, both are allowed for women.
For both men and women, clothing requirements are not meant to be a restriction but rather a way in which society will function in a proper, Islamic manner.
III&E Brochure Series
(Published by The Institute of Islamic Information and Education (III&E) and reproduced in electronic form by Islamic Academy for Scientific Research with permission)
Some good sites to look at: Information on Islam
I must apologize first as whenever i use the link (to add link to post) it does not work.. for some reason the site does not show up so instead of you being able to click and it going to the site automatically copy/paste into browser. i am so sorry as i can not figure out why it does not work for me as i have seen is most blogs.. i ave no idea how to fix it and also i have no idea about html even though i have tried reading for hours on how to fix my blog to the way i want it..
These are some of the best sites Subhanallah! I am always looking for more information.
http://islamswomen.com/
http://www.jannah.org/sisters/index.html
http://www.dhikrullah.com/
http://www.islamonline.net/English/In_Depth/Religious/Fatwas_Series/index.shtml
Marriage and Intimate Relations: Fatwas
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1193049557454&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah/LSELayout
Links to main sites: This one was sent to me via email.
Some of them work and some dont. They have many languages available
http://www.islam-links.eu/
These are some of the best sites Subhanallah! I am always looking for more information.
http://islamswomen.com/
http://www.jannah.org/sisters/index.html
http://www.dhikrullah.com/
http://www.islamonline.net/English/In_Depth/Religious/Fatwas_Series/index.shtml
Marriage and Intimate Relations: Fatwas
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&cid=1193049557454&pagename=Zone-English-Living_Shariah/LSELayout
Links to main sites: This one was sent to me via email.
Some of them work and some dont. They have many languages available
http://www.islam-links.eu/
A more in depth look at marriage in Islam Part 1
*This article is not of my own. It belongs to this site> http://www.jannah.org/sisters/marr.html
MARRIAGE IN ISLAM.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Islam, unlike other religions is a strong advocate of marriage. There is no place for celibacy like, for example the Roman Catholic priests and nuns. The prophet (pbuh) has said "there is no celibacy in Islam.
Marriage is a religious duty and is consequently a moral safeguard as well as a social necessity. Islam does not equal celibacy with high "taqwa" / "Iman". The prophet has also said, "Marriage is my tradition who so ever keeps away there from is not from amongst me".
Marriage acts as an outlet for sexual needs and regulate it so one does not become a slave to his/ her desires.
It is a social necessity because through marriage, families are established and the family is the fundamental unit of our society. Furthermore, marriage is the only legitimate or halal way to indulge in intimacy between a man and a woman.
Islam takes a middle of the road position to sexual relations , it neither condemns it like certain religions, nor does it allow it freely. Islam urges us to control and regulate our desires, whatever they may be so that we remain dignified and not become like animals.
The purpose of Marriage.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The word "zawj" is used in the Qur'an to mean a pair or a mate. In general it usage refers to marriage. The general purpose of marriage is that the sexes can provide company to one another, love to one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah.
* Marriage serves as a means to emotional and sexual gratification and as a means of tension reduction. It is also a form of Ibadah because it is obeying Allah and his messenger - i.e. Marriage is seen as the only possible way for the sexes to unite. One could choose to live in sin, however by choosing marriage one is displaying obedience to Allah.
Marriage is "mithaq" - a solemn covenant (agreement). It is not a matter which can be taken lightly. It should be entered into with total commitment and full knowledge of what it involves. It is not like buying a new dress where you can exchange it if you don't like it. Your partner should be your choice for life. One should be mature enough to understand the demands of marriage so that the union can be a lasting one. For a marriage to be valid certain conditions must be met.
1) consent of both parties.
2) " Mahr" a gift from the groom to his bride.
3) Witnesses- 2 male or female.
4) The marriage should be publicized, it should never be kept secret as it leads to suspicion and troubles within the community.
Is Marriage obligatory?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
According to Imams Abu Hanifah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Malik ibn Anas, marriage is recommendatory, however in certain individuals it becomes wajib/obligatory. Imam Shaafi'i considers it to be nafl or mubah (preferable). The general opinion is that if a person, male or female fears that if he/she does not marry they will commit fornication, then marriage becomes "wajib". If a person has strong sexual urges then it becomes "wajib" for that person to marry. Marriage should not be put off or delayed especially if one has the means to do so.
A man, however should not marry if he or she does not possess the means to maintain a wife and future family, or if he has no sex drive or if dislikes children, or if he feels marriage will seriously affect his religious obligation.
The general principle is that prophet (pbuh) enjoined up in the followers to marry.
He said "when a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion , so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half." This hadith is narrated by Anas. Islam greatly encourages marriage because it shields one from and upholds the family unit which Islam places great importance.
Selection of a partner:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The choice of a partner should be the one with the most "taqwa" (piety). The prophet recommended the suitors see each other before going through with marriage. It is unreasonable for two people to be thrown together and be expected to relate and be intimate when they know nothing of each other. The couple are permitted to look at each other with a critical eye and not a lustful one. This ruling does not contradict the ayah which says that believing men and women should lower their gaze.
- The couple, however are not permitted to be alone in a closed room or go out together alone. As the hadith says "when a man and a woman are together alone, there is a third presence i.e. shaitan.
- There is no concept of courtship in Islam as it is practised in the west. There is no dating or living in defacto relationship or trying each other out before they commit to each other seriously. There is to be no physical relationship what so ever before marriage. The romantic notions that young people often have, have proven in most cases to be unrealistic and harmful to those involved. We only have to look at the alarming divorce rate in the west to understand this point. e.g. the couple know each other for years, are intimate, live together and so on yet somehow this does not guarantee the success of the future marriage. Romance and love simply do not equal a everlasting bond between two people.
Fact: Romance and love die out very quickly when we have to deal in the real world. The unrealistic expectations that young people have is what often contributes to the failure of their relationship.
- The west make fun of the Islamic way of marriage in particular arranged marriage, yet the irony is that statistically arranged marriages prove to be more successful and lasting than romantic types of courtship.
This is because people are blinded by the physical attraction and thus do not choose the compatible partner.
Love blinds people to potential problems in the relationship. There is an Arabic saying: which says "the mirror of love is blind, it makes zucchini into okra". Arranged marriages on the other hand, are based not on physical attraction or romantic notions but rather on critical evaluation of the compatibility of the couple.
This is why they often prove successful.
Consent of parties.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There is a halal arranged marriage and a haram one. It is OK to arrange marriages by suggestion and recommendation as long as both parties are agreeable. The other arranged marriage is when parents choose the future spouse and the couple concerned are forced or have no choice in the matter.
One of the conditions of a valid marriage is consent of the couple.
Marriage by definition is a voluntary union of two people.
The choice of a partner by a Muslim virgin girl is subject to the approval of the father or guardian under Maliki school. This is to safeguard her welfare and interests. The prophet said "the widow and the divorced woman shall not be married until she has consented and the virgin shall not be married until her consent is obtained. The prophet did revoke the marriage of a girl who complained to him that her father had married her against her wishes.
The husband/wife relationship.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-The wifes rights - the Husbands obligations.
(1) Maintenance
The husband is responsible for the wifes maintenance. This right is established by authority of the Qur'an and the sunnah. It is inconsequen tial whether the wife is a Muslim , non-Muslim, rich, poor, healthy or sick. A component of his role as "qawam" (leader) is to bear the financial responsibility of the family in a generous way so that his wife may be assured security and thus perform her role devotedly.
The wifes maintenance entails her right to lodging, clothing, food and general care, like medication, hospital bills etc. He must lodge her where he resides himself according to his means. The wifes lodge must be adequate so as to ensure her privacy, comfort and independence.
If a wife has been used to a maid or is unable to attend to her household duties, it is the husbands duty to provide her with a maid if he can afford to do so. The prophet is reported to have said: The best Muslim is one who is the best husband.
(2) "Mahr "
The wife is entitled to a marriage gift that is her own. This may be prompt or deferred depending on the agreement between the parties. A marriage is not valid without mahr. It does not have to be money or gold. It can be non-material like teaching her to read the Qur'an. " Mahr" is a gift from the groom to the bride. This is the Islamic law, unlike some cultures whereby the brides parents pay the future husband to marry the daughter. This practice degrades women and is contrary to the spirit of Islam. There is no specification in the Qur'an as to what or how much the Mahr has to be. It depends on the parties involved.
(3) Non-material rights.
A husband is commanded by the law of Allah to treat his wife with equity, respect her feelings and show kindness and consideration, especially if he has another wife. The prophet last sermon stresses kindness to women.
The wife obligations - the Husbands rights.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
One of the main duties of the wife is to contribute to the success and blissfulness of the marriage. She must be attentive to the comfort and wellbeing of her husband. The Qur'anic ayah which illustrates this point is:
"Our lord, grant us wives and offspring who will be the apples of our eyes and guide us to be models for the righteous"
The wife must be faithful, trustworthy and honest she must not deceive her husband by deliberately avoiding contraception. She must not allow any other person to have access to that which is exclusively the husband right i.e. sexual intimacy. She must not receive or entertain strange males in the house without his knowledge and consent. She should not be alone with a strange male. She should not accept gifts from other men without his approval. This is meant to avoid jealousy, suspicion and gossip. The husband possessions are her trust. She may not dispose of his belongings without his permission.
A wife should make herself sexually attractive to her husband and be responsive to his advances. The wife must not refuse her husband sexually as this can lead to marital problems and worse still - tempt the man to adultery. The husband of course should take into account the wifes health and general consideration should be given.
Obedience.
^^^^^^^^^
The purpose of obedience in the relationship is to keep the family unit running as smoothly as possible. The man has been given the right to be obeyed because he is the leader and not because he is superior. If a leader is not obeyed , his leadership will become invalid -Imagine a king or a teacher or a parent without the necessary authority which has been entrusted to them.
Obedience does not mean blind obedience. It is subject to conditions:
(a) It is required only if what is asked from the wife is within the permissible categories of action.
(b) It must be maintained only with regard to matters that fall under the husband rights.
MARRIAGE IN ISLAM.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Islam, unlike other religions is a strong advocate of marriage. There is no place for celibacy like, for example the Roman Catholic priests and nuns. The prophet (pbuh) has said "there is no celibacy in Islam.
Marriage is a religious duty and is consequently a moral safeguard as well as a social necessity. Islam does not equal celibacy with high "taqwa" / "Iman". The prophet has also said, "Marriage is my tradition who so ever keeps away there from is not from amongst me".
Marriage acts as an outlet for sexual needs and regulate it so one does not become a slave to his/ her desires.
It is a social necessity because through marriage, families are established and the family is the fundamental unit of our society. Furthermore, marriage is the only legitimate or halal way to indulge in intimacy between a man and a woman.
Islam takes a middle of the road position to sexual relations , it neither condemns it like certain religions, nor does it allow it freely. Islam urges us to control and regulate our desires, whatever they may be so that we remain dignified and not become like animals.
The purpose of Marriage.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The word "zawj" is used in the Qur'an to mean a pair or a mate. In general it usage refers to marriage. The general purpose of marriage is that the sexes can provide company to one another, love to one another, procreate children and live in peace and tranquility to the commandments of Allah.
* Marriage serves as a means to emotional and sexual gratification and as a means of tension reduction. It is also a form of Ibadah because it is obeying Allah and his messenger - i.e. Marriage is seen as the only possible way for the sexes to unite. One could choose to live in sin, however by choosing marriage one is displaying obedience to Allah.
Marriage is "mithaq" - a solemn covenant (agreement). It is not a matter which can be taken lightly. It should be entered into with total commitment and full knowledge of what it involves. It is not like buying a new dress where you can exchange it if you don't like it. Your partner should be your choice for life. One should be mature enough to understand the demands of marriage so that the union can be a lasting one. For a marriage to be valid certain conditions must be met.
1) consent of both parties.
2) " Mahr" a gift from the groom to his bride.
3) Witnesses- 2 male or female.
4) The marriage should be publicized, it should never be kept secret as it leads to suspicion and troubles within the community.
Is Marriage obligatory?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
According to Imams Abu Hanifah, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Malik ibn Anas, marriage is recommendatory, however in certain individuals it becomes wajib/obligatory. Imam Shaafi'i considers it to be nafl or mubah (preferable). The general opinion is that if a person, male or female fears that if he/she does not marry they will commit fornication, then marriage becomes "wajib". If a person has strong sexual urges then it becomes "wajib" for that person to marry. Marriage should not be put off or delayed especially if one has the means to do so.
A man, however should not marry if he or she does not possess the means to maintain a wife and future family, or if he has no sex drive or if dislikes children, or if he feels marriage will seriously affect his religious obligation.
The general principle is that prophet (pbuh) enjoined up in the followers to marry.
He said "when a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion , so let him fear Allah regarding the remaining half." This hadith is narrated by Anas. Islam greatly encourages marriage because it shields one from and upholds the family unit which Islam places great importance.
Selection of a partner:
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The choice of a partner should be the one with the most "taqwa" (piety). The prophet recommended the suitors see each other before going through with marriage. It is unreasonable for two people to be thrown together and be expected to relate and be intimate when they know nothing of each other. The couple are permitted to look at each other with a critical eye and not a lustful one. This ruling does not contradict the ayah which says that believing men and women should lower their gaze.
- The couple, however are not permitted to be alone in a closed room or go out together alone. As the hadith says "when a man and a woman are together alone, there is a third presence i.e. shaitan.
- There is no concept of courtship in Islam as it is practised in the west. There is no dating or living in defacto relationship or trying each other out before they commit to each other seriously. There is to be no physical relationship what so ever before marriage. The romantic notions that young people often have, have proven in most cases to be unrealistic and harmful to those involved. We only have to look at the alarming divorce rate in the west to understand this point. e.g. the couple know each other for years, are intimate, live together and so on yet somehow this does not guarantee the success of the future marriage. Romance and love simply do not equal a everlasting bond between two people.
Fact: Romance and love die out very quickly when we have to deal in the real world. The unrealistic expectations that young people have is what often contributes to the failure of their relationship.
- The west make fun of the Islamic way of marriage in particular arranged marriage, yet the irony is that statistically arranged marriages prove to be more successful and lasting than romantic types of courtship.
This is because people are blinded by the physical attraction and thus do not choose the compatible partner.
Love blinds people to potential problems in the relationship. There is an Arabic saying: which says "the mirror of love is blind, it makes zucchini into okra". Arranged marriages on the other hand, are based not on physical attraction or romantic notions but rather on critical evaluation of the compatibility of the couple.
This is why they often prove successful.
Consent of parties.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
There is a halal arranged marriage and a haram one. It is OK to arrange marriages by suggestion and recommendation as long as both parties are agreeable. The other arranged marriage is when parents choose the future spouse and the couple concerned are forced or have no choice in the matter.
One of the conditions of a valid marriage is consent of the couple.
Marriage by definition is a voluntary union of two people.
The choice of a partner by a Muslim virgin girl is subject to the approval of the father or guardian under Maliki school. This is to safeguard her welfare and interests. The prophet said "the widow and the divorced woman shall not be married until she has consented and the virgin shall not be married until her consent is obtained. The prophet did revoke the marriage of a girl who complained to him that her father had married her against her wishes.
The husband/wife relationship.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-The wifes rights - the Husbands obligations.
(1) Maintenance
The husband is responsible for the wifes maintenance. This right is established by authority of the Qur'an and the sunnah. It is inconsequen tial whether the wife is a Muslim , non-Muslim, rich, poor, healthy or sick. A component of his role as "qawam" (leader) is to bear the financial responsibility of the family in a generous way so that his wife may be assured security and thus perform her role devotedly.
The wifes maintenance entails her right to lodging, clothing, food and general care, like medication, hospital bills etc. He must lodge her where he resides himself according to his means. The wifes lodge must be adequate so as to ensure her privacy, comfort and independence.
If a wife has been used to a maid or is unable to attend to her household duties, it is the husbands duty to provide her with a maid if he can afford to do so. The prophet is reported to have said: The best Muslim is one who is the best husband.
(2) "Mahr "
The wife is entitled to a marriage gift that is her own. This may be prompt or deferred depending on the agreement between the parties. A marriage is not valid without mahr. It does not have to be money or gold. It can be non-material like teaching her to read the Qur'an. " Mahr" is a gift from the groom to the bride. This is the Islamic law, unlike some cultures whereby the brides parents pay the future husband to marry the daughter. This practice degrades women and is contrary to the spirit of Islam. There is no specification in the Qur'an as to what or how much the Mahr has to be. It depends on the parties involved.
(3) Non-material rights.
A husband is commanded by the law of Allah to treat his wife with equity, respect her feelings and show kindness and consideration, especially if he has another wife. The prophet last sermon stresses kindness to women.
The wife obligations - the Husbands rights.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
One of the main duties of the wife is to contribute to the success and blissfulness of the marriage. She must be attentive to the comfort and wellbeing of her husband. The Qur'anic ayah which illustrates this point is:
"Our lord, grant us wives and offspring who will be the apples of our eyes and guide us to be models for the righteous"
The wife must be faithful, trustworthy and honest she must not deceive her husband by deliberately avoiding contraception. She must not allow any other person to have access to that which is exclusively the husband right i.e. sexual intimacy. She must not receive or entertain strange males in the house without his knowledge and consent. She should not be alone with a strange male. She should not accept gifts from other men without his approval. This is meant to avoid jealousy, suspicion and gossip. The husband possessions are her trust. She may not dispose of his belongings without his permission.
A wife should make herself sexually attractive to her husband and be responsive to his advances. The wife must not refuse her husband sexually as this can lead to marital problems and worse still - tempt the man to adultery. The husband of course should take into account the wifes health and general consideration should be given.
Obedience.
^^^^^^^^^
The purpose of obedience in the relationship is to keep the family unit running as smoothly as possible. The man has been given the right to be obeyed because he is the leader and not because he is superior. If a leader is not obeyed , his leadership will become invalid -Imagine a king or a teacher or a parent without the necessary authority which has been entrusted to them.
Obedience does not mean blind obedience. It is subject to conditions:
(a) It is required only if what is asked from the wife is within the permissible categories of action.
(b) It must be maintained only with regard to matters that fall under the husband rights.
11.25.2009
Abayas and Islamic Clothing For Chubby Chicks
Hey I'm not trying to offend anyone.. I myself am a chubby chick.. and i have fave sites that i like to purchase my clothing from when shopping online.. Some sites have lots of sizes for plus and some dont.. i just thought i would share..
this is a well known site:http://www.shukronline.com/home.
this one has affordable abayas AND up to size 5XL (about 90% of there abayas go up to 5XL) www.eastessence.com
This site is awesome.. they have beautiful clothing (kind of pricey and sizes are limited) www.artizara.com
I will do some more browsing.. because even when i dont shop online i love to look!
Also i prefer sites that ship from US.. so i dont have to figure out currency and what not.. but i am sure there are many sites with affordable abayas/modest clothing shipping from Dubai and UAE and from what i know the clothes made there are the best.. The store i shop at in Dearborn, MI has lots of beautiful clothing. Abayas, silk tunics. long skirts, and about every type of hijab you can think of. They also have long jacket sets, abayas for around the house, lingerie, and lots of other things. They are affordable and everything is shipped from Dubai or UAE so the quality is the best ive had (i have had the "best" abayas from egypt and in my book they are not all that great, sometimes they come undone at the armpits or the middle seam) so you dont have to take my word on it.. but i like abayas that look pricey but arnt, or good quality for good price.. Alot of sites offer abayas at affordable prices but they look tacky and cheaply made..
My hubby took me to get an Eid outfit.. for $100 i got a long flared skirt, (not too fitted) and a purple print long sleeve tunic (comes to just above the knees, and a purple silk square hijab. They were having a sale and i cant wait til spring Inshallah.. because they are having another sale and am hoping Inshallah.. i will get some more clothing. (Hubby said i can go shopping) Alhamdulilah. Hopefully he is coming around.. then again i always give my self evil eye and he ends up turing back to the "bad guy" and things are crappy again.
Whoever is reading this.. PLEASE Keep us in your Dua3's and dont forget us!!
**************************************************************************
I have no idea why but the links never work in my blog.. when i insert a link it doesnt show up to go directly to the site.. i guess i am just stupid like that.. i can do pretty much everything accept the whole change layout/ html and figure out how to edit anything complicated on my blog.. it sucks.. someone.. anyone give me instructions.. and send it as if your talking to a child or else you will lose me in the html world.. Thanks
this is a well known site:http://www.shukronline.com/home.
this one has affordable abayas AND up to size 5XL (about 90% of there abayas go up to 5XL) www.eastessence.com
This site is awesome.. they have beautiful clothing (kind of pricey and sizes are limited) www.artizara.com
I will do some more browsing.. because even when i dont shop online i love to look!
Also i prefer sites that ship from US.. so i dont have to figure out currency and what not.. but i am sure there are many sites with affordable abayas/modest clothing shipping from Dubai and UAE and from what i know the clothes made there are the best.. The store i shop at in Dearborn, MI has lots of beautiful clothing. Abayas, silk tunics. long skirts, and about every type of hijab you can think of. They also have long jacket sets, abayas for around the house, lingerie, and lots of other things. They are affordable and everything is shipped from Dubai or UAE so the quality is the best ive had (i have had the "best" abayas from egypt and in my book they are not all that great, sometimes they come undone at the armpits or the middle seam) so you dont have to take my word on it.. but i like abayas that look pricey but arnt, or good quality for good price.. Alot of sites offer abayas at affordable prices but they look tacky and cheaply made..
My hubby took me to get an Eid outfit.. for $100 i got a long flared skirt, (not too fitted) and a purple print long sleeve tunic (comes to just above the knees, and a purple silk square hijab. They were having a sale and i cant wait til spring Inshallah.. because they are having another sale and am hoping Inshallah.. i will get some more clothing. (Hubby said i can go shopping) Alhamdulilah. Hopefully he is coming around.. then again i always give my self evil eye and he ends up turing back to the "bad guy" and things are crappy again.
Whoever is reading this.. PLEASE Keep us in your Dua3's and dont forget us!!
**************************************************************************
I have no idea why but the links never work in my blog.. when i insert a link it doesnt show up to go directly to the site.. i guess i am just stupid like that.. i can do pretty much everything accept the whole change layout/ html and figure out how to edit anything complicated on my blog.. it sucks.. someone.. anyone give me instructions.. and send it as if your talking to a child or else you will lose me in the html world.. Thanks
11.22.2009
My Father: How i Love Him
Assalamu alaikum all. This is somewhat hard for me to talk about.. But the good news has finally made me want to drag it out. My father after 20 yrs has stopped drinking. Can i get ALLAHU AKABAR!! Anyways its a long story one in which i couldnt post in just this post alone but it will come in pieces.
Like many americans i had a tough childhood. being tossed from family member to family member, childrens homes (in Ohio and Kentucky) teen shelters for run aways, and 1 foster home. All due to the fact that my parents became addicted to one substance or another.
It all started when my dad was 18, he joined the Navy, and due to being overseas stuck on a boat without seeing family for months at a time he started drinking and using narcotics. He had his nose operated on because of the "coke" and now has plastic and can push his nose to either side. (Quite entertaining when we were kids, as we tried to do like him but our noses just wouldnt do it.. he said he had no bones in his nose and we didnt know til much later why)
He got a less than honorable discharge after refusing treatment at 21 (with only4 more mths to go til he served his 4 yrs) He was engaged to a woman who died in a car accident all because of a drunk driver. But that made him drink more.
Fast forward to a party in Ohio at the University my father was attending for drafting, he met my mom, a then size 5 petite woman who had never drank, or smoked in her life (who also had a hard life as a farm girl her father *was also an alcoholic and her mother used to beat her every night)
They married December 14th 1983 and had me March 10th of 85'. From what i know they were in love and i dont remember them fighting until i was 9 or 10. But it was always over money. My dad would get high in front of us and i knew what a "roach" was when i was 6 or 7. When DARE came to our school i would get scared and angry. Scared because i thought they would find out my dad smoked, and angry because the officers would say how it was so bad and it was a drug to lead to others. I didnt understand all of this but one day when my dad went in the bathroom to smoke i screamed outside the door i was going to call DARE because what he was doing was bad. he just laughed at me.
I do remember the good parts. How he worked 12+ hrs everday of the week. How he came home tired and hugged and kissed us. How when our car broke down, and the schools closed because of the huge blizzard that left knee deep snow outside.. yet he saw my lips were chapped and put on his *Carhart suite boots, gloves, and hat.. and walked the 2 miles in the blizzard to get me some chapstick. My dad never beat us, or yelled at us. He never called his names. He was a "nice alcoholic". It didnt mattered that he drank.. i still loved him so much.
He used to bring us candy home sometimes, and i was so grateful for all the things he did. When i had bad dreams he would come to my room and put me downstairs on the couch with a blanket while he wacthed t.v all the while he would sit beside me until i fell asleep again and pick me up and tote me back to my room.
My mother (for another post) was not affectionate. I think she had us as a "favor" to my father. I remember only once or twice she hugged or kissed us.. and it was when she was drunk or high and she would cry and tell us she was going to stop. I didnt like her. She never sacrificed anything for us. Her "boyfriends" were more important. I remember when my dad left how mad i was. My mother would leave us by ourselves for days without food. The water got shut off, and the lights. We would sit in the dark.. Me and my sisters. I had to play mommy. Only it wasnt make believe it was real. I would walk to my grandpas house carrying "Fisha" (then 1.5 yrs) and paula barely 3 who had to walk.. it was 3 miles ( i am not joking) i couldnt leave them alone.. and we needed money for food.
I remember my grandpa giving us money and us walking to the store to get bread, and bologna, and a 1/2 gal of milk. I knew we couldnt buy candy.. but sometimes let my sisters get a couple pieces of .10 candy because they would look at it with big eyes and i felt bad. The food would last a a couple of days and i felt happy for that.. but i forgot the milk would go bad because our fridge didnt work ( i didnt realize because the electricity didnt work that our fridge too would keep the milk cold.. as soon as i opened it i smelled something rotten.. and there was no coldness.. i realized we had to drink the milk that day as not to waste it and next time i bought iced tea (knowing it wouldnt go bad after a day or so)
Well anyways thats another story and like i said i cant go over all of it..
But my dad has stopped drinking due to all of his health problems. He has lost so much weight, and at 47 looks closer to 60. But i can tell he is sober. Has been for almost 2 mths now. I hope he wont go back. He has quite before only to go back. This time if he drinks again there is no way his kidneys, and liver will hold out. He will definetly die. The Dr.s gave him a few mths before he quit. We had a long talk. and after just a few days he told me he stopped drinking. I didnt believe him. Until i saw him a few weeks later. I saw him sober. and he looks so old, and tired. Sickly, but he says he is happy. For the first time in his life he feels he has control.
I have been through so much. I have never been able to hold a grudge, or stop talking to my parents. All they put us through and i am the only one that has no hard feelings. My stupid heart wont let me hold anything but love and excuses for them. I think this is why i have always tolerated so much from everyone else. I feel love for people whom i shouldnt, and i want to help people.
Alhamdulilah for everything. For the good and bad. For the hard times and easy ones. For poverty, and having what i need. For times i didnt think i would get through and i made it.
Yes! I made it. I just hope Inshallah.. I will have the faith, courage, and love to get me through the rest of my life.. that is.. until it is my time
Alhamdulilah
Like many americans i had a tough childhood. being tossed from family member to family member, childrens homes (in Ohio and Kentucky) teen shelters for run aways, and 1 foster home. All due to the fact that my parents became addicted to one substance or another.
It all started when my dad was 18, he joined the Navy, and due to being overseas stuck on a boat without seeing family for months at a time he started drinking and using narcotics. He had his nose operated on because of the "coke" and now has plastic and can push his nose to either side. (Quite entertaining when we were kids, as we tried to do like him but our noses just wouldnt do it.. he said he had no bones in his nose and we didnt know til much later why)
He got a less than honorable discharge after refusing treatment at 21 (with only4 more mths to go til he served his 4 yrs) He was engaged to a woman who died in a car accident all because of a drunk driver. But that made him drink more.
Fast forward to a party in Ohio at the University my father was attending for drafting, he met my mom, a then size 5 petite woman who had never drank, or smoked in her life (who also had a hard life as a farm girl her father *was also an alcoholic and her mother used to beat her every night)
They married December 14th 1983 and had me March 10th of 85'. From what i know they were in love and i dont remember them fighting until i was 9 or 10. But it was always over money. My dad would get high in front of us and i knew what a "roach" was when i was 6 or 7. When DARE came to our school i would get scared and angry. Scared because i thought they would find out my dad smoked, and angry because the officers would say how it was so bad and it was a drug to lead to others. I didnt understand all of this but one day when my dad went in the bathroom to smoke i screamed outside the door i was going to call DARE because what he was doing was bad. he just laughed at me.
I do remember the good parts. How he worked 12+ hrs everday of the week. How he came home tired and hugged and kissed us. How when our car broke down, and the schools closed because of the huge blizzard that left knee deep snow outside.. yet he saw my lips were chapped and put on his *Carhart suite boots, gloves, and hat.. and walked the 2 miles in the blizzard to get me some chapstick. My dad never beat us, or yelled at us. He never called his names. He was a "nice alcoholic". It didnt mattered that he drank.. i still loved him so much.
He used to bring us candy home sometimes, and i was so grateful for all the things he did. When i had bad dreams he would come to my room and put me downstairs on the couch with a blanket while he wacthed t.v all the while he would sit beside me until i fell asleep again and pick me up and tote me back to my room.
My mother (for another post) was not affectionate. I think she had us as a "favor" to my father. I remember only once or twice she hugged or kissed us.. and it was when she was drunk or high and she would cry and tell us she was going to stop. I didnt like her. She never sacrificed anything for us. Her "boyfriends" were more important. I remember when my dad left how mad i was. My mother would leave us by ourselves for days without food. The water got shut off, and the lights. We would sit in the dark.. Me and my sisters. I had to play mommy. Only it wasnt make believe it was real. I would walk to my grandpas house carrying "Fisha" (then 1.5 yrs) and paula barely 3 who had to walk.. it was 3 miles ( i am not joking) i couldnt leave them alone.. and we needed money for food.
I remember my grandpa giving us money and us walking to the store to get bread, and bologna, and a 1/2 gal of milk. I knew we couldnt buy candy.. but sometimes let my sisters get a couple pieces of .10 candy because they would look at it with big eyes and i felt bad. The food would last a a couple of days and i felt happy for that.. but i forgot the milk would go bad because our fridge didnt work ( i didnt realize because the electricity didnt work that our fridge too would keep the milk cold.. as soon as i opened it i smelled something rotten.. and there was no coldness.. i realized we had to drink the milk that day as not to waste it and next time i bought iced tea (knowing it wouldnt go bad after a day or so)
Well anyways thats another story and like i said i cant go over all of it..
But my dad has stopped drinking due to all of his health problems. He has lost so much weight, and at 47 looks closer to 60. But i can tell he is sober. Has been for almost 2 mths now. I hope he wont go back. He has quite before only to go back. This time if he drinks again there is no way his kidneys, and liver will hold out. He will definetly die. The Dr.s gave him a few mths before he quit. We had a long talk. and after just a few days he told me he stopped drinking. I didnt believe him. Until i saw him a few weeks later. I saw him sober. and he looks so old, and tired. Sickly, but he says he is happy. For the first time in his life he feels he has control.
I have been through so much. I have never been able to hold a grudge, or stop talking to my parents. All they put us through and i am the only one that has no hard feelings. My stupid heart wont let me hold anything but love and excuses for them. I think this is why i have always tolerated so much from everyone else. I feel love for people whom i shouldnt, and i want to help people.
Alhamdulilah for everything. For the good and bad. For the hard times and easy ones. For poverty, and having what i need. For times i didnt think i would get through and i made it.
Yes! I made it. I just hope Inshallah.. I will have the faith, courage, and love to get me through the rest of my life.. that is.. until it is my time
Alhamdulilah
11.20.2009
Sheikh Yousef Estes is visiting our masjid!!!
ALHAMDULILAH!! Am so excited to announce Sheikh Yousef Estes will be at our masjid this friday!! I am so excited.. something great to look forward to and a reason to go back to the masjid and i know there is going to be tons of people.. just a little freaked out because i know the "cultural moslems" Auzobillah are coming out to show off their new clothes and makeup with spanish hijab look Astaghfirullah azeem.. here is the email i received..
ASAK ,
Our dear community members.
We have surprise for all of you. This Friday at ICI at 8 PM we will host sheikh youssef Estes at ICI. He is visiting us to talk to our community after Ishaa inshaa Allah. Come and enjoy the day with sheikh Estes "bring your family with you". I have put a link for him below so you can see a sample of what he talks about. Please come earlier 7:30 PM so you can find a spot to park. Jazakom Allah kheir
ICI Board
http://www.watchisl am.com/videos/ video.php? vid=3
So am excited and a little freaked out at the same time.. Inshallah it all works out well and there is no problems.. Love you guys!!
ASAK ,
Our dear community members.
We have surprise for all of you. This Friday at ICI at 8 PM we will host sheikh youssef Estes at ICI. He is visiting us to talk to our community after Ishaa inshaa Allah. Come and enjoy the day with sheikh Estes "bring your family with you". I have put a link for him below so you can see a sample of what he talks about. Please come earlier 7:30 PM so you can find a spot to park. Jazakom Allah kheir
ICI Board
http://www.watchisl am.com/videos/ video.php? vid=3
So am excited and a little freaked out at the same time.. Inshallah it all works out well and there is no problems.. Love you guys!!
11.03.2009
I was late for work.. Thanks to women problems..
Image via Wikipedia
My hubby and I have been sharing shifts together since July for this really nice moslem guy. We know him from the masjid.Anyways in all the time i have worked i have never been late.. mostly early but never late.
I have to be there at 5am to open.. so last night we had to run to the store for diapers, wipes, and formula because both of us has been so busy with little time for me to go to the store because he takes the car and we were running low.. so we went to the store at 10pm.. i planned on going to bed early, showered, and everything.. we were in the store an hr and a half.. when i got home and put everything away Yousef started crying i changed him and fed him and by the time i laid my head down it was 12:45.. and i couldnt sleep.. i kept looking at my phone checking the time.. and i must have went to sleep around 1:30 or so because last time i checked the time it was 1:15.. so i slept.. btu had a bad dream and woke up at 3am.. i went back to bed 3:30 (my alarm set to 4:30 because work is close) and i never heard it.. i slept til 6:30 i wake up to my phone ringing.. OMG i was late!!
Hubby jumped out of bed and we rushed to get ready (he has to take me because i work 5-12 and he works 12-4) and we and we share 1 car.. so i was freaking out thinking he was going to yell and maybe fire me.. and nothing.. he was silent when i went into work. he didnt say anything to me.. later he called to check how things were.. he calls 3-4 times in my shift.. and then i asked him if he wanted to talk about anything.. talk about what ?? he asked.. theres nothing to talk about you were late.. and it only happened once and i hope it doesnt happen again.. i then find out everyone.. including my husband has been late (hr or more) to work 3-4 times at least and it doesnt bother him too much but Alhamdulilah i still have a job..
I felt so terrible and i will never be late again.. i dont care what everyone else is doing..its not right to take advantage of someone who relies on you and gives you a job when there arnt many jobs to be had with the economy the way it is..
I then find out he thought it was "women problems" and thats why he didnt yell or ask me anything and also why he didnt want to talk about it..I think its so funny.. i am late and i get "special" treament because it might be "women" problems?? too funny..i wish my husband was more like that.. i could be dying in bed with cramps and he would insist it is not that bad.. and compares me to the women in HIS family.. (mother, sisters) he doesnt understand all women are different.. anyways am happy.. got some extra sleep.. but i plan on going to bed early because i have been so worn out..i havnt had a break.. just work, home (cleaning cooking, kids) work repeat..
I hope Inshallah one day it will be easier.. i really miss spending time with my kids.. i really miss sleeping in.. i miss being at home.. (where i feel I belong)
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11.02.2009
Battle Over Face Veil In Egypt
CAIRO (Reuters) – Rokaya Mohamed, an elementary school teacher, would rather die than take off her face veil, or niqab, thrusting her to the forefront of a battle by government-backed clerics to limit Islamism in Egypt.
Egypt's state-run religious establishment wants teachers like Mohamed to remove their veils in front of female students, sparking a backlash by Islamists who say women should be able to choose to cover their faces in line with their Islamic faith.
"I have put on the niqab because it is a Sunna (a tradition of the Muslim prophet Muhammad). It is something that brings me closer to religion and closer to the wives of the Prophet who used to wear it," she said.
"I know what makes God and his prophet love me, and no sheikh is going to convince me otherwise. I would rather die than take it off, even inside class," she added.
Egypt, the birthplace of al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri, fought a low-level Islamist insurgency in the 1990s, has faced sporadic militant attacks targeting tourists since then, and is keen to quell Islamist opposition ahead of parliamentary elections next year and a 2011 presidential vote.
The spread of the niqab, associated with the strictest interpretations of Islam, is a potent reminder to the government of the political threat posed by any Islamist resurgence emanating from the Gulf, where many young Egyptians go to work.
Controversy over the niqab flared last month after the state-appointed head of Egypt's al-Azhar mosque asked a young student to remove her face veil during a visit to her school.
Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi later issued a religious edict or fatwa barring women and girls from wearing the niqab in all-girl Azhari schools, saying there was no reason for girls to cover their faces amongst themselves.
An Azhari research center later backed the ruling, saying the face veil should be removed when a girl is in an all-female class with women teachers, in all-female exam rooms, and in all-female dormitories.
Egyptian state-run media have also called for women to show their faces, citing the "damaging" effects of niqab on society.
GULF INFLUENCE
While a majority of Egyptian women and girls consider it an Islamic religious obligation to cover their hair and neck with a scarf, few Muslim scholars say the full face veil is mandatory.
Yet growing numbers of Egyptian women are abandoning the simple headscarf in favor of the niqab, analysts say, reflecting the growing sway of strict Saudi-based Wahhabi ideology on an already conservative and Islamized society.
"It increased mainly because of the major influence from the Gulf. This habit is not from the heart of Egyptian society. It is imported from the Gulf," political analyst Hala Mustafa said.
"(Extremism) has been increasing in Egyptian society for the past 30 years and therefore Egyptians are accepting more extremism and becoming more closed off," she said.
Egypt, unlike other Muslim states Saudi Arabia and Iran, does not require women to cover their heads with a scarf. But the millions of Egyptians who have lived or worked in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia are believed to be a source for the spread of Wahhabi ideology.
Just 30 years ago, women attended Egypt's flagship Cairo University wearing miniskirts and sleeveless tops. They strolled along the beaches of Alexandria in skimpy swimsuits at a time when society was seemingly more liberal and tolerant.
Analysts say the headscarf, or hijab, was seen as a status indicator and was prevalent among lower-income classes. Women from upper and middle classes rarely veiled at a young age and those who did usually followed fashionable interpretations of hijab. The niqab was uncommon at that time.
NIQAB MORE PREVALENT
But the niqab has become more prevalent. Women in flowing black robes are a common sight strolling through Egypt's fanciest shopping malls and five-star hotels, as well as in shanties.
Analysts say challenging the stricter interpretations of Islam could be a long journey that requires, in particular, introducing reforms on an educational system that has allowed women in niqab to teach small children.
"These decisions have to be accompanied with ideological procedures and requires challenging the ideology so there will be moderate ideology," Mustafa said.
Egyptian courts have a history of ruling in favor of women wearing niqab inside universities. In 2007, a court ruled that the American University in Cairo, seen as a bastion of Western liberal education in Egypt, was wrong to bar a female scholar who wears niqab from using its facilities. The court cited personal and religious freedom as grounds for its ruling.
Ordinary Egyptians on the streets of Cairo have conflicting feelings regarding the niqab. Some say it should be banned on security grounds because it can be used by criminals to disguise themselves and escape police searches.
Others hail it as the right way to fulfill religious duties or as the best way to protect women from sexual harassment, although a recent study showed veiling had little effect on harassment rates in Egypt.
"When a man cannot see a woman, then what is he going to harass her for? Nothing," said Abu Donya, a taxi driver, whose views are shared by many Egyptians. "So imagine if all women wear niqab, things would be better," he said.
(Editing by Dominic Evans)
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Egypt's state-run religious establishment wants teachers like Mohamed to remove their veils in front of female students, sparking a backlash by Islamists who say women should be able to choose to cover their faces in line with their Islamic faith.
"I have put on the niqab because it is a Sunna (a tradition of the Muslim prophet Muhammad). It is something that brings me closer to religion and closer to the wives of the Prophet who used to wear it," she said.
"I know what makes God and his prophet love me, and no sheikh is going to convince me otherwise. I would rather die than take it off, even inside class," she added.
Egypt, the birthplace of al Qaeda's second-in-command Ayman al-Zawahri, fought a low-level Islamist insurgency in the 1990s, has faced sporadic militant attacks targeting tourists since then, and is keen to quell Islamist opposition ahead of parliamentary elections next year and a 2011 presidential vote.
The spread of the niqab, associated with the strictest interpretations of Islam, is a potent reminder to the government of the political threat posed by any Islamist resurgence emanating from the Gulf, where many young Egyptians go to work.
Controversy over the niqab flared last month after the state-appointed head of Egypt's al-Azhar mosque asked a young student to remove her face veil during a visit to her school.
Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar Mohamed Sayed Tantawi later issued a religious edict or fatwa barring women and girls from wearing the niqab in all-girl Azhari schools, saying there was no reason for girls to cover their faces amongst themselves.
An Azhari research center later backed the ruling, saying the face veil should be removed when a girl is in an all-female class with women teachers, in all-female exam rooms, and in all-female dormitories.
Egyptian state-run media have also called for women to show their faces, citing the "damaging" effects of niqab on society.
GULF INFLUENCE
While a majority of Egyptian women and girls consider it an Islamic religious obligation to cover their hair and neck with a scarf, few Muslim scholars say the full face veil is mandatory.
Yet growing numbers of Egyptian women are abandoning the simple headscarf in favor of the niqab, analysts say, reflecting the growing sway of strict Saudi-based Wahhabi ideology on an already conservative and Islamized society.
"It increased mainly because of the major influence from the Gulf. This habit is not from the heart of Egyptian society. It is imported from the Gulf," political analyst Hala Mustafa said.
"(Extremism) has been increasing in Egyptian society for the past 30 years and therefore Egyptians are accepting more extremism and becoming more closed off," she said.
Egypt, unlike other Muslim states Saudi Arabia and Iran, does not require women to cover their heads with a scarf. But the millions of Egyptians who have lived or worked in Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia are believed to be a source for the spread of Wahhabi ideology.
Just 30 years ago, women attended Egypt's flagship Cairo University wearing miniskirts and sleeveless tops. They strolled along the beaches of Alexandria in skimpy swimsuits at a time when society was seemingly more liberal and tolerant.
Analysts say the headscarf, or hijab, was seen as a status indicator and was prevalent among lower-income classes. Women from upper and middle classes rarely veiled at a young age and those who did usually followed fashionable interpretations of hijab. The niqab was uncommon at that time.
NIQAB MORE PREVALENT
But the niqab has become more prevalent. Women in flowing black robes are a common sight strolling through Egypt's fanciest shopping malls and five-star hotels, as well as in shanties.
Analysts say challenging the stricter interpretations of Islam could be a long journey that requires, in particular, introducing reforms on an educational system that has allowed women in niqab to teach small children.
"These decisions have to be accompanied with ideological procedures and requires challenging the ideology so there will be moderate ideology," Mustafa said.
Egyptian courts have a history of ruling in favor of women wearing niqab inside universities. In 2007, a court ruled that the American University in Cairo, seen as a bastion of Western liberal education in Egypt, was wrong to bar a female scholar who wears niqab from using its facilities. The court cited personal and religious freedom as grounds for its ruling.
Ordinary Egyptians on the streets of Cairo have conflicting feelings regarding the niqab. Some say it should be banned on security grounds because it can be used by criminals to disguise themselves and escape police searches.
Others hail it as the right way to fulfill religious duties or as the best way to protect women from sexual harassment, although a recent study showed veiling had little effect on harassment rates in Egypt.
"When a man cannot see a woman, then what is he going to harass her for? Nothing," said Abu Donya, a taxi driver, whose views are shared by many Egyptians. "So imagine if all women wear niqab, things would be better," he said.
(Editing by Dominic Evans)
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